Make an Impact in Horizon West Through Volunteering
Explore Nonprofit Organizations Near Horizon West that Turn Compassion into Action through Volunteer Service
Images courtesy of Rotary Club of Horizon West
Looking for ways to give back in Horizon West, but don’t know where to start?
Volunteering your time is one of the simplest ways to turn your love for your community into action. Many of us crave a deeper connection that volunteering offers, by reminding us that meaningful change starts right at home.
Below is a list of organizations and their causes to help you explore a renewed purpose and make a real impact as you revisit your goals to find what fills you up.
Eight Waves Children & Family Services
Eight Waves is an organization that invests in the lives of children, youth and families who live in under-resourced communities. As an organization, their primary focus is to build healthy support systems children need to thrive through empowering them to create lasting change in their own lives and communities.
There are a myriad of ways to get involved through their eight innovative programs. Volunteer opportunities include a Lunch Mentorship Program at West Orange High School, one-on-one mentoring of elementary school students, assisting with birthday parties for children with families who are personally or financially struggling, mentoring other moms, creating and delivering hygiene kits, Eight Waves Summer Camp and more.
Images courtesy of Eight Waves
Matthew's Hope Ministries
Matthew's Hope fosters the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the homeless people of our community by meeting their basic needs, developing their skills and restoring their dignity and independence.
As a faith-based organization, Matthew's Hope creates an environment where every guest, regardless of their abilities, can grow and succeed in their own way. In the Orange County chapter, volunteers with specific skill sets like computer skills, administrative support, grant writing, teaching life skills or financial counseling can assist in various roles. Other volunteer options include delivering items via the Mobile Ministry Response Team as well as designing projects like crafting cards, organizing item drives and preparing meals.
Images courtesy of Matthew's Hope
Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida
Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida chapter is committed to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. When a child’s wish comes true, it creates a sense of strength, hope and transformation in a child— and in a community.
With an office located in the heart of Maitland, the chapter focuses on helping the children who need it the most in our communities, creating joy and giving kids control over their wishes to dream big. Make-A-Wish always seeks referrals, volunteers and donors who can reach their goal of changing the world, one child, one community at a time.
Image courtesy of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida
Give Kids the World Village
Give Kids the World Village is an 89-acre non-profit resort in Kissimmee, providing weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world who wish to visit Central Florida.
Since its inception in 1986, Give Kids the World Village has welcomed more than 201,000 families from all 50 states and 78 countries (as of early 2026)! Every volunteer role at GKTW creates happiness that inspires hope— from ride attendants and food service to entertainment, transportation, front desk services and so much more. Learn more about the volunteer opportunities available on an ongoing basis on their
website.
Images courtesy of Give Kids the World
One Heart for Women and Children
Committed to ending hunger and providing vital support to those in need throughout Orlando and beyond, One Heart for Women and Children is looking to make a lasting impact in our corner of Florida.
The Community Food Pantry is a flagship program of the organization, providing essential food and supplies each month to everyone facing food insecurity. In addition to regular pantry hours, a monthly mobile food distribution event at various locations across Orange County brings nutritious food directly to communities that have limited transportation and resource opportunities. Volunteer options range from community cookouts to apartment food giveaways and supporting the cause at their Orlando thrift store location.
Image courtesy of One Heart for Women and Children
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a non-profit organization working to end hunger across all communities in Orlando.
Each day, more than 330,000 meals are provided for families, kids and seniors facing hunger across Florida. Food is more than a meal at Second Harvest. It’s fuel for a child to learn, taking a step towards stability for a parent looking to make ends meet and comfort for a senior who lives alone.
When you lend a hand with Second Harvest, you’re changing a life. More than 42,000 volunteers contributed their time in 2025—packing boxes, sorting donations or volunteering with a group. Every shift counts to help combat the hunger issues our community faces. Gather friends and co-workers and come as a group or five or more, or find an individual shift to make a difference today. Volunteers must be 10 years or older.
Images courtesy of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Rotary Club of Horizon West
The Rotary Club of Horizon West is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share their ideas, join together as leaders and take action to create lasting change in our community.
In 2018, a small group of Horizon West residents were craving connection with local like-minded people with a heart for service. Now, twice a month, Rotarians meet at noon at Stoneybrook West Golf Club as an opportunity to connect with fellow community members, enjoy a buffet lunch and get inspired to serve. The Rotary Club of Horizon West is more than a service organization. It’s a place where passion for our community turns into action.
Recent Rotary projects include support for many of the organizations on this list including Thanksgiving baskets for Eight Waves, cold-weather needs drive for Matthew's Hope, Halloween Costume Drive for Eight Waves and New Beginnings and volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank.
Images courtesy of Give Kids the World Village
Images courtesy of The Rotary Club of Horizon West
The Kiwanis Club of Winter Garden - Horizon West chapter brings their mission to life to assist through leadership, service and connection. Their goal is to improve the world one child and community at a time.
The Kiwanis club is made up of neighbors, working professionals and community advocates who are bound by their belief that small acts of service create meaningful change. This club meets the second Thursday of the month at Uno's Pizzeria and Grill in the Winter Garden Village to plan their efforts.
Members can participate in a variety of projects from supporting literacy initiatives via Little Free Libraries to volunteering in service projects that give back in small, but impactful ways, like preparing sandwiches for Matthew’s Hope guests. Whether volunteers are supporting local schools, organizing projects like playground clean-ups and pantry support, or even partnering with other organizations, the focus is always on making a positive impact on the children and families of our community.
The Kiwanis Club also proudly supports youth service organizations like Key Club International, helping high school students grow in leadership, character and community involvement.
Images courtesy of Kiwanis Club Winter Garden - Horizon West
Find a Sense of Purpose and Community
Communities thrive when people who step up to support their local organizations by volunteering their time. It’s about building meaningful relationships, strengthening our neighborhoods and investing in the people and places we call home.
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